Kramer Sustainer 1989 Black

You can wait for another Kramer Sustainer to come along. Finding another one like this is the hard part.

Up for sale is an exceptional 1989 Kramer Sustainer, an early-production example that has survived more than 35 years in remarkable condition.

If you’re looking at this guitar, chances are you already know what a Kramer Sustainer is — and how uncommon clean, original, fully functioning examples have become.

One of the first things that stands out in person is just how deep and rich the black finish is. It has an almost piano-black appearance that gives the guitar an incredibly clean, striking look.

CONDITION

This guitar has spent virtually its entire life stored in a hard-shell case, removed primarily for inspection, maintenance and occasional handling.

The body is exceptionally clean. After recently having the guitar out and inspecting it again, the only mark I’m specifically aware of is the small mark on the back of the body shown in the photos.

The neck shows virtually no signs of playing wear, and the frets are about as close to new as you could reasonably expect from a guitar of this age.

The neck is fast, the action is low, and the guitar plays beautifully.

I’ve included detailed photos because I would rather accurately show the condition than simply rely on a condition description.

Additional photos are available upon request.

ORIGINALITY / NOTABLE DETAILS

This guitar remains stock and original, retaining its original pickups, Sustainer electronics and hardware.

An important early-production detail is that there is no separate battery box/cover routed into the back of the body. On these earlier Sustainers, the batteries are housed within the main electronics cavity rather than in the separate rear battery compartment found on later examples.

The original Sustainer system works exactly as intended.

THE SUSTAINER WORKS PERFECTLY!!!

Another detail worth noting: the LED is a low-battery indicator, not a Sustainer-on light. Under normal operation it remains off and illuminates when the batteries are getting low.

The guitar comes with a new Gator hard-shell case.

FEATURES / SPECS

• 1989 Kramer Sustainer
• Early-production configuration
• Deep gloss black finish
• Stock and original
• No separate rear battery-box routing
• Original Floyd Rose Sustainer system
• Original pickups and hardware
• Dot inlays
• Kramer block inlay at the 12th fret
• Fully functioning Sustainer system
• Low-battery indicator LED
• New Gator hard-shell case included

WHY THIS ONE STANDS OUT

There are guitars you buy because they are available.

Then there are guitars you buy because you may not get another opportunity at one in the same condition.

This is the latter.

The combination of its early-production configuration, originality, fully functioning Sustainer electronics and exceptional preservation is what makes this guitar special.

If you have been looking for a Kramer Sustainer to actually add to a collection — not a restoration project, not something heavily played, and not something where you immediately have to start hunting for difficult-to-find Sustainer electronics — take a very close look at this one.

You may eventually find another Sustainer.

Finding another one preserved like this is a different story.

PLEASE NOTE

This guitar is also listed for sale on other media platforms and may be sold or withdrawn from Reverb without notice at any time prior to a completed sale.

Please ask any and all questions or raise any concerns before purchasing. I’m happy to provide additional photographs or information.

SHIPPING

Actual shipping and insurance charges will vary depending on the buyer’s location.

The shipping amount shown on the listing should be considered an estimate/placeholder until an accurate fully insured quote can be obtained.

Please message me with your location for an accurate, fully insured shipping quote before purchasing.

SHIPPING / HANDLING TIME

Dispatch times may vary.

Please contact me before purchasing to confirm the current handling and shipping timeframe, especially if you require the guitar by a specific date.

Each instrument is carefully inspected and packed for shipment, and I will not rush the packing process simply to meet a courier deadline.

EUROPEAN / INTERNATIONAL BUYERS

European and international buyers are welcome, but please understand that fully insured international shipping can be very expensive.

Do not commit to the purchase unless you are prepared to cover the actual shipping, insurance, duties, taxes and import costs.

Any applicable duties, taxes, tariffs, customs charges, brokerage fees or other import-related costs are the responsibility of the buyer.

I will not declare a reduced value or otherwise misrepresent the value of the guitar to reduce shipping, insurance, customs or import costs.